President of Ukraine, Volodymyr ZelenskyHe said on Thursday his country sees Europe as “the way home”. He claimed that with the “total war” initiated by Russia, the Kremlin was trying to “destroy the European way of life in Ukraine”.
Zelensky said, “For Ukraine, Europe is the way home. I am here to defend the way home for all Ukrainians of all ages, social status and religious beliefs.”
The president of Ukraine made these statements before a meeting. extraordinary general assembly European Parliament greet him with applause and a long applause at the first of his commitments in Brussels the day before he leaves for the leaders’ summit.
Zelensky shaped the struggle of the Ukrainian forces within the framework of the defense of Europe. He insists that Russian aggression is not limited to Ukraine, but affects all the values the EU stands for. Saying that the Russian regime wants Europe to return to the “inhuman reality” of the 1930s and 1940s, the Ukrainian president emphasized that Ukrainian troops are fighting Moscow’s “anti-European” forces.
“However Europe should say no. We Ukrainians on the battlefield protect Europe from the most anti-European forces.He pointed out that he referred to Ukraine’s eventual entry into the bloc as the “way home” for Ukrainians to share “common European history”.
Next, the Ukrainian president will travel to the Council of Europe, where the 27th leaders will meet this Thursday to discuss industrial policy and immigration issues, but the appointment was completely marred by Zelensky’s visit, whose agenda continues until 2019. sneak for the last time for security reasons.
After the welcome and a message to the Council of Europe as a whole The time will come for bilateral talks with twenty-seven. Meetings with country groups will allow all European leaders to meet face-to-face with Zelensky.
Metsola: “The future of Ukraine is in the EU”
on his behalf Roberta Metsola, President of the European ParliamentHe started by expressing Strong support for Ukraine’s future as a “European Union country” and makes it clear that the European response to the Russian invasion should be: “proportionate to the threat”, which he says is “existential”.
“Our response must be proportionate to the threat, and the threat is existential,” Metsola said in a speech acclaimed by MEPs and Zelenski. “Ukraine is Europe and the future of your nation is in the European Union.”
The Maltese politician, who wore a bow in the colors of the Ukrainian flag on the collar of his jacket, especially appreciated the “true solidarity” that Ukraine shows “every day” despite the bombs, with actions such as sending rescue teams. To Syria and Turkey after the earthquake.
In addition, Metsola stressed that Ukraine is fighting “not only for its own values, but for the values of all” and for ideals that unite this country “as a brother” with the EU. and they make “all Europeans”.
Therefore, the president of the European Parliament has relied on the political will to facilitate steps towards the EU, from facilitating trade relations to allowing the accession process “as soon as possible”, not forgetting financial support for the country’s reconstruction. the shipment of military equipment and defense systems needed to “win” after the war.
with Sánchez, Sweden
In the case of Spain, head of government, Pedro SanchezIt will be in the group with Sweden, The current six-month presidency of the Council, Italy, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands.
The Ukrainian leader traveled from Paris this morning with French President Emmanuel Macron to Brussels, where a trilateral meeting took place with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, where European leaders reiterated their support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. “as required”.
Arriving in Brussels on the French presidential plane, he was greeted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
On the verge of the first anniversary of the invasion, the EU seeks to reinforce its message of support to Kiev, which was symbolically reflected last week by the 2019 visit of a high-level staff delegation from Brussels, including Von der Leyen and Michel, to the country. war.
At this Thursday’s meeting, the leaders of the 27s will send an image of support to Ukraine and strengthen financial, political and military support, while also financing the rebuilding of Ukraine with a new sanctions package they are already working on – the tenth – and with resources confiscated from Russia. to seek legal action formulas or to hold those responsible accountable before international justice.